I am a small beekeeper with three hives this year. One of the three overwintered, the other two were purchased and installed a few weeks ago. They are all doing great with laying queens.
Because the hive that overwintered was so small I started off this year with them in a honey super. (They fill 4-ish frames in the honey super.) I realize this isn't the best for a number of reasons, but I made a judgement call. I have had problems in the past with beetles, and I thought they would have the best chance of staying on top of any invaders if they had a smaller manageable space.
Anyway, there is a laying queen and they seem pretty active. I think they will make it despite their small size. My question is, when the time comes how do I transition the queen into laying in a deep super instead of a honey super? I figure it will take a bit of swapping, and perhaps using a queen excluder for a time. I would appreciate your input. Thanks!
Because the hive that overwintered was so small I started off this year with them in a honey super. (They fill 4-ish frames in the honey super.) I realize this isn't the best for a number of reasons, but I made a judgement call. I have had problems in the past with beetles, and I thought they would have the best chance of staying on top of any invaders if they had a smaller manageable space.
Anyway, there is a laying queen and they seem pretty active. I think they will make it despite their small size. My question is, when the time comes how do I transition the queen into laying in a deep super instead of a honey super? I figure it will take a bit of swapping, and perhaps using a queen excluder for a time. I would appreciate your input. Thanks!
